/r/EngineeringStudents

Photograph via snooOG

This is a place for engineering students of any discipline to discuss study methods, get homework help, get job search advice, and find a compassionate ear when you get a 40% on your midterm after studying all night.

Check out the official EngineeringStudents Discord!:

discord.gg/EngineeringStudents

This is a place for engineering students of any discipline to discuss study methods, get homework help, get job search advice, and find a compassionate ear when you get a 40% on your midterm after studying all night.


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RULES

^ Read above for the expanded rules. Not reading them and then complaining will not earn you any sympathy.

  1. If the topic of your post is currently covered in one of the megathreads/stickied posts at the top of the page, please put your content as a comment there instead. Otherwise your post may get deleted.

  2. Do your own research, follow basic guidelines, and be sure to google your question beforehand.

  3. Follow homework help guidelines

  4. Racism, sexism or any other kind of intolerance or discrimination will not be tolerated.

  5. Trolling, posts intentionally inciting conflict, personal attacks, and spam will be removed.

  6. No pirated materials.

  7. Avoid posting blogspam, blog self-promotion, or personally monetized links. You can be an account with a website, but not a website with an account.

  8. Meme posts are allowed only Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Meme posts made outside this time will be removed.

  9. No laptop posts.


RESOURCES

General

CosmoLearning MIT OpenCourseware

LearningSpace

Engineer4Free

Mental Health Resources

Best of Threads

School Supplies

Old Overall Thread Compilation

Math

WolframAlpha

Khan Academy

Paul's Online Math Notes

PatrickJMT Video Math Tutorials

Professor Leonard

Electronics

All About Circuits

Circuit Lab

Programming

C++.com

StackOverflow

Mechanics and Materials

MatWeb

MecMovies

Cambridge Materials Science Videos

Cal Poly Pomona ME Videos

Engineering Subreddits

r/AerospaceEngineering

r/AskEngineers

r/bioengineering

r/ChemicalEngineering

r/civilengineering

r/Engineering

r/ECE

/r/materials

r/MechanicalEngineering

r/WomenEngineers

Other Subreddits and Communities

r/AskElectronics

r/CAD

r/CFD

r/ComputerScience

r/C_Programming

r/LaTeX

r/learnprogramming

r/MatLab

r/manufacturing

/r/Python

r/FE_Exam

Unofficial NCEES FE/PE Exam Discord


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/r/EngineeringStudents

826,337 Subscribers

3

how to get ready for spring sem?

im 2 weeks in the vacation, 2 weeks left and I still feel so burnt out. How do i allow myself to rest when I know that in 2 weeks i’ll be going over all this again, I hope it goes well and everything, but I get stressed even thinking about the mere idea that there’s a spring semester waiting for me.

4 Comments
2025/01/19
15:20 UTC

1

I need all mechanical engineering essentials and important clo's any website that has those? ASAP

I have a test soon I have a lot in mind but want a quick revision

"Well I don't know about your program" yes but generally there are essentials like some subjects in Tresca theory in design classes

And shear-moment diagrams in static/Mech. Of materials

0 Comments
2025/01/19
14:58 UTC

1

Help me choose a coaching institute

In 7th sem rn help me choose an online institute for ae/je prep Also is madeeasy good?

1 Comment
2025/01/19
14:39 UTC

50

um...

5 Comments
2025/01/19
14:29 UTC

0

Mech? pls help guyz

Mech vs cse

guys i want to pursue mechanical engineering but everyone says ki jobs nahi h iss branch me and all that... although i don't have a problem with cse but is it really true? is mechanical tough? guys who chose mechanical and are from a pvt university/college do you regret? or is it all good ?

6 Comments
2025/01/19
14:18 UTC

1

Any resources that could help understand my job better

Hey yall, I'm a Draughtsman at an Mechanical engineering company, I took a college course on draughting and as much as we did go into the fundamentals of mechanical engineering and abit of more advanced stuff, whenever I go on site with the head engineer, I feel so stupid, he's got years experience but sometimes I feel like I don't know as much as I need to when we're tackling some projects, even when he asks me for my opinion of size of materials, length of objects or something like that im hesitant to do so cause I don't wanna get shut down, so I wanna take initiative into learning more so atleast I don't look completely clueless, any resources I could look into ?

2 Comments
2025/01/19
10:18 UTC

29

Its ridiculous how one's Engineering grades may go down because of a lecturer

Do you find it habitually ridiculous that your success may also depend on your Lecturer? This applies even to the best students.

14 Comments
2025/01/19
09:16 UTC

0

Any hope i ca get straight As in my Engineering?

Ay secret ways to get straight As in my Engineering?

12 Comments
2025/01/19
08:32 UTC

0

Every Engineering student opine their course is the hardest.

Why does every Engineering student i meet say their major is the hardest? how false is this

10 Comments
2025/01/19
08:19 UTC

1

What project (personal or for school) has helped you develop some type of hands-on skill that helped you in your engineering degree?

I've done some programming, CAD, and machining for my previous classes but im very curious to see other skills or projects people are working on since i think I definitely need to add more hands on-experience on my resume. Thanks!

0 Comments
2025/01/18
20:33 UTC

1

Engineering Branching out

Hi Guys, I’m heading over to Canada (Toronto or Vancouver) on a 2 year visa in September. I have a bachelors and a masters in mechanical engineering. I’ve heard that it’s quite difficult to find engineering work in Canada right now. I don’t know how true or untrue this is as different sources seem to say different things, however in order to increase my odds of getting any type of work I’m going to apply to a number of different roles. So here is my question, engineering aside, what other jobs is it easy to branch into from an engineering degree ? eg Would employers in finance companies happily take on an engineering graduate ? Or what sorts of jobs would people recommend I apply to! Thanks

0 Comments
2025/01/18
21:15 UTC

1

How time consuming is a MechE degree?

I'm considering majoring in engineering, specifically mechanical engineering, but everyone keeps telling me horror stories about how engineering is insanely hard, and takes up way too much time, leaving no room for any free time or event attempting a social life. Is this true? I specifically want to get a stem degree(parents want me to), and engineering is the only one I'm kind of interested in, but I truly aspire to be an entrepreneur or work in business, so I'm just scared that If I decide to get a MechE degree I wont have any time to start a side hustle or have free time to go after my passions. Any thoughts?

0 Comments
2025/01/18
22:03 UTC

1

Should I reconsider my classes for this semester(19 credits)?

So in my freshman semester I have taken 18 credits : Single variable calculus( both 1 and 2), Intro to programming, Differential equations, Elective course in World Geography, Academic English: Writing, General Biology 1 with a lab. However I was able get As for only Calculus, Differential Equations and Academic English ( everything else was B+ and B- for programming except for Biology where I got a C+). My overall gpa for that semester was 3.0/4.0. The question is can I handle this workload for spring semester?( Im retaking gen bio 1; however the max grade for retakes is B+). Preferably, I would like to get a gpa of 3.5+ for the spring semester. What do u guys think? I will appreciate ur honesty!

0 Comments
2025/01/18
22:25 UTC

1

I’m terrified choosing engineering over science might ruin my uni experience

Im in my senior year and recently accepted an engineering offer at the UBC (in Canada) but sciences was my second choice. I have no idea if engineering is actually what I want to do since there's no exposure in high school but I loved physics and do pretty well in math (90´s all of high school). Im also scared it might take up all of my time and make me hate school since I won't get to enjoy doing things other majors have time for. Am I making the wrong choice?

0 Comments
2025/01/18
23:28 UTC

1

Pros and cons of double majoring

Looking for more surface level advice of the pros and cons of double majoring beside “it’ll be a lot harder”. I want to double major in mechanical engineering and chemical engineering. How would this affect things like job outlook and potentially getting a higher paying job vs just having one degree or the other. I would also like to know how much cross over there is when studying the two disciplines. Finally if I had to choose one, what would you guys personally recommend?

0 Comments
2025/01/18
23:36 UTC

1

slacked off first semester. regretted it. i'm gonna take studying more seriously from now. clueless 1st year, need some help.

19m, mechanical engineering 1st year.

my gpa's currently a 3.xx on a 4.3 scale but the subjects i didn't do too well in aren't added yet, so i'd expect it to dip to between a 3.2 to a 3.5.

honestly, it's nobody's fault but my own. i abused the liberties of being away from my loving yet overbearing parents, and even with some lacklustre teaching from some members of staff, it was my responsibility to go and study beyond doing well on the assignments in order to ensure that i'd absolutely understand the material, and that i'm in a good condition before i write exams.

from now, i'd want to finish with as high of a gpa as humanly possible. i'm willing to learn.

i guess this is how life goes.

of course, i wouldn't want to spend all of my time studying, either. i've joined a robotics society but i don't feel as if i've gained much from going there, so i might switch over to either the automotive society or a service based club with some ties to our school's engineering society.

i honestly don't know much in terms of design or technology, and i took an exemption from engineering drawing, but this semester we will be starting solidworks. if there's any possible chance for me to participate in a group design project before my 3rd year capstone, i'd hope to do so.

i'd also want to gain some work experience over the summer. i worked previously as a maintenance technician and did basic assistant roles but i've gained little from the experience (again due to my own negligence). i'd want to apply for the same company for this summer.

as far as career wise, i would probably specialise in whichever field i find most compelling for a masters, whether at my current uni or at a university abroad, and continue working professionally from there.

any advice? am i being too overzealous? should i broaden my horizons?

0 Comments
2025/01/19
01:23 UTC

1

Jeff Hanson

This guy is great, making my 8 week statics class easier. My professor is non existent 🤣😭

0 Comments
2025/01/19
01:45 UTC

3

I’m sure I’ll miss schedules like this later on…

Looking at people’s schedules on here makes me feel like I’m def not taking enough classes. However these are all I can take at the moment bc they are prereqs for my other classes. I’m only in my second semester so I’m sure come next year I’ll definitely miss how easy I have it now.

(Physics 1 and its lab don’t show up here bc they are online and not at a set time).

9 Comments
2025/01/19
02:10 UTC

3

EE&BME Undergrad looking for some advice

Hi, i’m a undergrad (first year) in canada and i have decided before even attending college that i wanted to work in R&D. I don’t want to pursue a doctorate but i will maybe go for a masters in the future. I really want to work on innovative futuristic technology for example things like neuralink, bio cybernetic systems like bionic/smart organs, fusion reactors, wireless power transmission technologies, you get the jist of it. I want to create my own startup one day but i want to gain experience in R&D first, and i was wondering if a graduate or senior could advise me on how i can potentially go in about doing this.

0 Comments
2025/01/19
02:49 UTC

2

Resources for Dynamics and Stress Analysis

Does anyone have good resources for learning Vector Dynamics and Stress Analysis? About to take courses on those in the upcoming semesters and want to know if anyone has a video playlist about those subjects or another resource that may be useful for me like some old notes or something, thank you.

1 Comment
2025/01/19
04:03 UTC

4

Books/Youtube channels or any recommendations that can increase my knowledge about engineering and how things work?

Hi! I’m about to start my second year of aerospace engineering. I’m Argentinian and graduated from a biology-focused high school (5 years). Even though I did well in science subjects like math, I feel really behind in areas like technical drawing, mechanical tools, and motors compared to my peers who attended technical high schools (6 years, spend time in a workshop instead of a barely equipped lab). I sometimes feel embarrassed because I have to google the names of basic tools I'd never seen in my life. I really lack that practical ability and the skill to build new things. Just trying to go the extra mile by finding content that can teach me something new and make me excited about my future subjects and job opportunities. Thanks!

4 Comments
2025/01/19
02:29 UTC

12

Studying methods for upper level classes

This semester, I’ll be starting my first aerospace upper level classes (300 level). However, I’m scared that my study habits will not work for these classes anymore. This is mainly due to Thermo last semester, in which I got a C. I barely passed that class with the help of my textbook and chegg. The professor was not good and made the material much harder to understand imo.

For upper level classes, how do y’all study? Will the textbook be helpful now? I needed it for thermo but I haven’t use a textbook so far in my other courses. Are office hours still available because this is my best way to study and ask for help. Do y’all find YouTube to be helpful for these classes? Chegg? Any particular study habits you use?

6 Comments
2025/01/19
01:40 UTC

42

Should I not major in aerospace?

I’m more interested in aerospace than mechanical engineering but I’ve heard that the unemployment is very high in the field and it’s super hard to get a job. I’ve also heard you can get the same jobs with a mechanical engineering major as an aerospace engineering major. I’ve already applied to the colleges I want to go to so should I switch majors once I join college? Is the situation really that bad?

41 Comments
2025/01/19
01:17 UTC

4

Figuring out my path

Hello, I am 41 and just started school working towards my associate's degree in engineering. I haven't figured out what I want to do after graduating but I do know I want to move on to a bachelor's degree program. I have put a lot of thought into doing petroleum engineering. In the mean time I'm thinking of doing either mechanical or civil engineering with a minor in geology at the bachelors level. I know with petroleum engineering being the end goal that some geology would be beneficial, I just don't know how beneficial it would be if I took mechanical engineering. Would I be better off with civil or mechanical engineering? Both have decent pay entry level jobs. I just don't know enough about both fields to make an informed decision.

4 Comments
2025/01/18
21:12 UTC

16

Does an Engineering Physics Degree look bad?

I’m going into engineering physics with a specialization into digital electronic systems at my chosen university. I’m interested in computer and electrical engineering but want to work on emerging technologies such as quantum computing. These emerging technologies require a better understanding of physics, so in my mind it makes more sense to get an engineering physics degree. I think this is a degree I want to pursue, but some people are saying this will be a huge disadvantage if I apply for a computer engineering job, although I would be similarly qualified. Am I making a mistake here?

12 Comments
2025/01/18
19:33 UTC

572

I was a habitual C student, I graduated 6 years ago: an honest report

tl;dr: The things I struggled with in school continued to be a problem in my career, until I learned to look for work that complimented my strengths. Think less about external things like salary and more about the kind of work that would serve you.

Hello, I graduated in December of 2018 with a civil engineering degree and a terrible GPA. I know many of you are probably worried about your own GPA, wondering if it's a sign you're in the wrong field. I wanted to share my honest experience with that, because all the existing popular advice seems, imo, either too optimistic or just shaming and unhelpful. (On that note, it probably goes without saying that my anecdotal experience is more applicable to civils than other engineering degrees.) The bottom line is that if you are passing your classes at all, you ARE intelligent enough. I am glad I stuck with my degree, but those poor grades are probably important insight to your future.

I chronically underperformed in school because of ADHD and CPTSD. I kept dropping out, taking partial credits, etc. and didn’t end up graduating until I was 28.  I think most people would have given up way before that, but I had a genuine passion for civil engineering and am just incredibly proud and stubborn in general.

In spite of my GPA, I got outstanding internships by just working on my interview skills and bringing my enthusiasm for the subject matter to bear. And yes I might have fudged a few things on my resume. My performance as an intern was very hit or miss. I had a manager who I didn't mesh well with and I had anxiety attacks every day: that job certainly didn't love me. But then I got an internship with a firm where my manager was a sweet older woman and I got all-star reviews.

In my senior year I got an internship with AECOM and my team loved me. Then as soon as I graduated, my work performance sank like a rock.  Anxiety attacks became a huge and daily problem. I quit to avoid getting fired after working there for about 4 years, got a similar job at a smaller firm and ended up in the same situation in just a year.

In an effort to get something as different as I could, I accepted an entry level position as an ops engineer for a municipal water department. I like my job a lot; most days I'd say I love my job. I research and present solutions to problems in a way I didn't get to do as a design engineer. The office environment is way more relaxed, I go out in the field regularly, I never work in CAD. Best of all, it's a union gig so that means my work-life balance is better protected: something that is critical for me as someone who struggles with mental health and neurodivergence. 

I hope that, if you're struggling at school, this provides a little insight into what will help you succeed post-college. First of all you are smart enough: abolish that brain weasel from your mind now. If you're not thriving in college, consider avoiding jobs that seem to more closely fit the lifestyle of a college student: i.e., high-pressure and confined mostly to a screen. Focus instead on what sparks your interest about engineering as a field of study and look for that. And if you're like me, it certainly wasn't drawing lines in AutoCAD all day.

Most importantly, when you first graduate and start working full-time, give yourself grace: you hardly know anything about yourself as an engineer yet.  You may make some bad decisions about your work life, and that’s normal and expected.  I’ve talked to countless people that had to cycle through a few different positions before they found one that fit.

The truth of the matter is, civil engineering is not a particularly competitive field and you could probably get whatever job you wanted just by learning the game and working on your interview skills. But if you are just shooting for the most high-salaried or flashiest position you can get without regard for the lifestyle that would work best for you, you’re going to be unhappy and you’re going to burn out. College teaches us that we should be sacrificing our mental health to outperform our peers, but that’s not a mindset you need to adopt for yourself.

I am happy to answer folks’ questions. There’s a lot of things I glossed over but if there’s anything in particular you’d like to know about my experience, please ask. My DMs are always open to engineering students having a hard time. College was an extremely isolating and scary time for me and if I can make it a little less for you, I think that's awesome.

34 Comments
2025/01/18
19:27 UTC

0

My first internship: How can I keep efficiency at maximum level?

I’m electrical-electronics engineering student and this is my second year. I only got 2 field courses. (Verilog course, logic gates, electrical circuits course)

Monday is the first day of my internship and since I don’t have much information about everything I’m so stressed. But I want to get the most out of this internship and learn more about hardware. I also want to get into their eyes.

I'm a little embarrassed to ask this question, but everything has a beginning. What advice would you give me? What can I do to win the favor of those who accept me for internship and how can I be more productive?

Since I'm a second year student, I’m worried that I won't be able to answer most of the specific questions. But what kind of questions do you think they might ask me?

Note: This company makes smart heating systems. They work with PLC.

I’d appreciate so much if experienced students or engineers answer me. I’m about to cry because of how stressed i am. I can’t stop thinking about it.

5 Comments
2025/01/18
19:24 UTC

85

Which engineering fields have the least coding?

Hi I am now cs major freshman and i am thinking about switching major that is less coding heavy. I love math and aced calculus, algebra, discrete math, physics that i had in course but i cant pass coding classes. I was thinking about switching to math major but i feel that it isnt marketable. So i am thinking about going into engineering but i wonder which engineering fields is math heavy and dont have coding or have very little?

71 Comments
2025/01/18
19:15 UTC

1

What are the pros and cons of joining a newly ABET accredited college?

The school I'm considering is said to be getting accredited next year. Should I go there or choose another school?

1 Comment
2025/01/18
18:05 UTC

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